Apparatus for molding and cutting butter.



No. 656,745. v

L. L. MIVELAL.

- APPARATUS FOR MOLDING AND CUTTlNG BUTTER Patented Aug. 28, I900.

(Application filed Dec. 2, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

5N0 Model.)

I W 7726) alto Law? l Patented Aug. 28, IBM]. L. L. MIVELAZ. APPARATUSFOR MOLDING AN D CUTTING BUTTER.

(Application filed Dec. 2, 1899.1

2 Sheds-Sheet 2.

{No Model.) T

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LOUIS L. MIVELAZ, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

APPARATUS FOR MOLDING AND CUTTING BUTTER.

srncrrrcarrou ferming part of Letters Patent No. 656,745, dated Augustas, 1 00.

Application filed December 2, 1899. Serial No. 738,990. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS L. MIVELAZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelbyand State of Ten nessee,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forMolding and Cutting Butter; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

In apparatus for shaping and cutting butter into prints or pads forindividual use at table it has been the general custom to let the printsor pads fall into cold water when out and to keep the tubes containingthe butter to be molded and subdivided in water sufficiently cool toprevent softening of the butter. It has been found that the printssuffer a loss of color and flavor, which is entirely objectionable.Moreover, it is not possible to cut the prints as required, particularlyif the atmosphere bGWflIlIl and the demands are at comparatively-loo gintervals apart, because the butter inthe tube will soften and cannot beworked.

This invention has for one object the provision in a single organizedsturcture of a cooler, a molder or former, means for forcing adeterminate quantity of butter through the molder, and a cutter, theparts being compactly arranged and disposed so as to admit ofadjustment, a replenishing of the cylinder, and storing of the chargedtubes in the cooler.

A further purpose is to dispense entirely with cold Water to receive theprints, to preserve the color and sweetness of the butter, and to enablethe prints to be cut as required, whether the demand be at longintervals or rapid and constant.

The invention aims to provide also for a variation of the feed of thebutter through the shaper or molder Without modifying the amplitude ofmovement of the tube, thereby enabling prints of varying thickness to becut.

The invention also aims to provide a machine of the character and forthe purpose aforesaid which can be used horizontally, vertically, or inany convenient position, accordingto the location, surroundings, andallotted room space, and which will be compact and capable ofoperation-in a omparatively small space.

' The invention contemplates various other ad vantages, some of whichwill suggest themselves as its nature is unfolded and grasped; and itconsists of the novel features, details of construction, andcombinations of parts, which hereinafter will be more fully describedand claimed.

Whilethe drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention initspresent form, it is to be understood thatin adaptingitfor specialpurposes many changes in the form, proportion, and minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from or sacrificingany of the advantages of the invention. 7

Referring to the drawings, in which corresponding and like parts areindicated in all the views by the same' reference characters anddesignated in a similar manner in the following description, Figure 1 isa perspec tive view of a machine specially designed for attaining theobjects of this invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View of a modification.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a further modification. Fig. 4 is across-section of Fig. 1 in front of the segment wear-plate and lookingto the rear. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the cylinder,butter-tube, molding-cap, and frame supporting the feed-pawl and rearend of the cylinder, showing the disposition of the parts and thefeedingmechanism. Fig. 6 is a detail View of some of the many designs offormers or molds for shaping the butter prints or pads. Fig. 7 is adetailview of the cutter.

The cylinder, butter-tube, plunger, feeding mechanism, and cutter arethe same in all forms andwill be described at length hereinafter. Theseparts maybe mounted on a stand or a box, as desired.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a box is the support and constitutes a coolerfor the extra butter-tubes. This box 1 may be constructed of anymaterial and have any desired shape and dimensions, according to thecapacity of the machine, and is preferably a Wooden structuremetal-lined, the metal lining being removable and constituting areceptacle 2, in which is placed the ice or other cooling agent,

and the tubes 3, filled with butter. The open side of the box is closedby a cover 4:, to which the operating parts are attached, said coverbeing hinged at one edge to a side of-the box, so as to be opened andadmit of ready access to the box for placing the tubes 3 therein orremoving them therefrom when required or for any purpose. Aframe 5 issecured to the top side of the cover at one end and is of bracket-likeformation, its upper part being a box-loop and its lower portionappearingas feet, which are apertured to receive the fastenings by meansof which the frame is secured to the cover. The cylinder 6 for receivingthe tube containing the butter has pivotal connection at one end withthe frame 5 and is adapted to oscillate or swing upon the support orcover 4:. This cylinder is jacketed, and the latter may be a box 7, asshown in Fig. 2, or a tube 7, concentric with the cylinder and joined atits ends thereto, the space between the cylinder and its jacket servingfor the reception of a cooling agent. The cylinder 6 projects a shortdistance beyond the extremity of the jacket and is adapted to haveaformeror mold 8 detachably fitted thereto, said former or mold beingconstructed after the manner of a cap and applied to the projecting endof the cylinder 6 by a slip-joint. The rim or body portion of the formeror mold is provided with one or more, L-shaped slots 9 to cooperate witha ing 10, projecting from the side of the cylinder 6, whereby the moldis secured positively to the cylinder by a bayonet-joint. An opening isprovided in the top side of the tube 7, and a collar or flange 11projects therefrom and is threaded to receive a plug or cap 12, by meansof which the said opening is closed. WVhen the closure 12 is ren1oved,acooling agent,such as ice-water, may be supplied to the space 13 formedbetween the concentric parts 6 and 7, thereby keeping the butter in thetube Within the cylinder cool and in prime condition. A cap letisapplied to the inner or pivotal end of the cylinder and is centrallyapertured, the latter being of angular formation corresponding with thecross-sectional outline of the plunger-rod 15, which is adapted tooperate therethrough. An arm 17 projects outwardly from the cap 14inline with the cylinder and to one side of the opening through which theplunger rod 15 works and is pivotally connected with a terminal portionof the frame 5, said arm entering the space formed between the upper andlower plates of the upper portion of said frame. A band 16 encircles thecylinder a short distance from its pivotal end and is adapted to travelupon a segmental wear-plate 18, applied to the cover 4, these partsreceiving the wear incident to the oscillatory movements of the cylinderwhen the device is in service.

The plunger 19 is of a size to operate freely in the butter-tube3, andits forward portion is slightly beveled to admit of it entering the tube3 when placing the parts in position.

The plunger-rod 15 works through the opening of the cap 14 and throughthe space formed between the upper and lower plates of the guide portionof the frame 5 and has an edge portion toothed, as shown at 20. A pawl21 is located adjacent to the toothed side of the plunger-rod 15 and ispivoted intermediate of its ends to the frame 5 and is located in thebox-looped portion thereof. A spring 22 normally holds the pawl inengagement with the teeth 20.. A set-screw 23 is let into a threadedopening in an end portion of the frame 5 and bears against the outer endof the pawl. 21 and fixes its position with reference to the teeth 20,whereby the feed of the plunger is adapted to be varied without changingthe amplitude of movement of the cylinder. As the cylinder is oscillatedthe pawl rides upon the teeth 20 and engages positively with a tooth andcauses a forward movement of the plunger anda corresponding expulsion ofthe butter. By a proper adjustment of the setscrew 23 the position ofthe pawl can be fixed so as to cause it to ride upon only one or anydesired number of the teeth 20 within the range of the movement of thecylinder, there; by feeding the plunger forward a greater or lessdistance. If the pawl 21 were unrestricted, its engaging end would rideupon the teeth 20 when swinging the cylinder in one direction until itreached the limit of its movement, and upon swinging the cylinder backthe pawl would engage with the last tooth and cause a steady advance ofthe plunger until the cylinder reached the limit of its movement in theopposite direction. By setting the screw 23 the pawl may be limited soas to ride upon only one or two teeth of the plunger-rod, the lattermoving away from the engaging end of the pawl in the continued swing ofthe cylinder in the same direction after the pawl has reached the limitof its movement, determined by contact of its end with the set-screw 23.When swinging the cylinder in the reverse direction, it will move agiven distance before contact of the pawl with the teeth 20, and as thecylinder finishes its return movement the last tooth to ride upon thepawl will be engaged thereby and the plunger moved forward a distancecorresponding to the length of the tooth or number of teeth riding uponthe pawl in the outward swing of the cylinder. It will thus be seen thatthe feed of the plunger can be regulated by the set-screw 23,irrespective of the amplitude of movement of the cylinder, therebyadmitting of the prints or pads of butter being of any requiredthickness.

The tubes 3 are charged or filled with butter and may be placed in thereceptacle or refrigerator 1 along with ice or other cooling agent, orthey may be conveniently stored or filled as desired, and when it isrequired to place one in position the former or mold is removed fromtheouter end of the cylinder 6 or inner tube thereof and the tube 3 isslipped into position, after which the former or mold is replaced. Theterminal portions of the tubes 3 are outwardly flared, as shown at 24,to direct the plunger therein when placing the tube within the cylinder,and these flared terminals also serve to centralize the tube 3 withinthe cylinder, the external diameter of the said tubes 3 being slightlyless than the internal diameter ofthe cylinder.

The molds or formers 18 for shaping the butter consist of caps which arefitted upon the outer end of the cylinder or the projecting portion ofthe tube 6 and are held in place by the bayonet-joint in the manner setforth, so as to prevent displacement when the butter is subjected topressure. The outer ends of the caps have openings of various forms,according to the desiredshape or configuration of the prints or pads ofbutter to be served. Some of these forms are shown in Fig. 6, althoughother designs are con templated. These molds or formers are of likesize, so as tobe interchangeably fitted upon the outer end or projectingportion of the cylinder, thereby enabling prints of any desired shapebeing formed.

The frame 5 comprises terminal feet 25 and an upper structure ofboxformatiomthe space formed between the end plates and the upper andlower plates 26 and 27 receiving the arm 17, plunger-rod l5, and pawl 21in the manner set forth. The upper or head portion of the frame being inthey form of a box-loop serves as a guide to receive the partsappliedthereto and prevent vertical displacement thereof. A tubular guide 28projects outwardly from the end of the support or box remote from theframe 5 and is formed with a base 29, which is apertured to receive thefastening by means of which the said guide is secured in place. Abow-frame 30 has one member extended, as shown at 31, and of a size tosnuglyiit within the guide 28 and held therein by means of abinding-screw 32 let into a threaded opening formed in a side of thesaid guide. The arms or members of the frame 30 support a wire 33, whichis stretched between them and extends around the outer side of the frameand applied to a tightening device applied to the said frame. Thistightening device consists of a thumb-operated Windlass 34:, journaledto the longitudinal member of the frame 30 and provided at its inner endwith a ratchet-wheel 35 to cooperate with a spring pawl or detent 36,the outer end of the windlass having a thumb-knob to be grasped betweenthe thumb and finger of the hand when it is required to tighten the wireA short arm 37 has its outer end formed with a saw cut to receive thewire 33, and the long arm 31 is provided with an openin g 38, throughwhich the said wire passes, the end portions of the wire passing aroundthe outside of the frame and having their extremities attached to theWindlass 34, so as to wind thereon when subjecting the wire to therequisite degree of tension necessary to secure 3 is removed from thebox and placed in position in the cylinder in the manner substantiallyas stated herein. Upon oscillating the cylinder the plunger isalternately actuated and moved forward a distance corresponding to therequired thickness of the prints or pads of butter to be formed. Whenswinging the cylinder away from the box, the pawl 21 rides upon theteeth 20 of the plunger-rod and that portion of the butter expelled fromthe cylinder is removed by the cutter. When the cylinder is swungbackward or toward the box, the plunger is advanced and forcibly eXpelsthe butter from the cylinder and through the former or mold, which givesthe desired shape thereto. The apparatus is of a portable na ture andcan be placed horizontally upon a support or may rest upon the end ofthe box or be located in any convenient position. When arranged in aposition other than horizontal, it will be necessary to remove thereceptacle 2 from the box, and after the appa ratus has cut the requirednumber of prints it can be placed in a horizontal position in aconvenient location and the receptacle 2 can be replaced within the box,so as to prevent the too-rapid heating of the cooling agent.

As shown in Fig. 2, the jacket 7 is a wooden box, the top being adaptedto be opened, being preferred because it does not sweat, re tains thecold longer than metal, and. may be used for storage of the filledbutter-tubes. A handle 39 is applied to a side of the jacket? forconvenience of operation. The support 40 for the operating parts is astand consisting of a base and feet. The working parts are substantiallythe same as herein described.

When the device is designed for cutting a number of prints at one time,the jacket for the cylinder is dispensed with, as shown in Fig. 3, thebutter remaining suliiciently firm in the cylinder until formed intoprints. This form does not differ materially from the others, theoperating parts being mounted upon a stand 40 in substantially the samemanner as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In adevice for molding and cutting butter or the like into prints or pads, acylinder,

a tube loosely and detachably fitted within I oscillatory cylinder, aplunger adapted to opcrate Within the cylinder and having a series ofteeth along one side, means for engaging the teeth of the plunger-rod toadvance the latter as the cylinder is oscillated, and adjusting meansfor changing the relation of the feed device to vary the-movementthereof without altering the amplitude of movement of the cylinder,substantially as set forth.

3. In a device ofthe nature specified, an oscillatorycylinder, a plungeradapted to operate in said cylinder and provided with a rod toothed atone side, a pawl disposed for conjoint use with the toothed plunger-rod,and

means for changing the relation of the pawl so as to vary the feed ofthe plunger Without it sta /415 affecting the amplitude of movement ofthe cylinder, substantially as set forth.

4. In a device substantially as described, a cylinder, a tube removablyinserted in the cylinder and having its terminal portions outwardlyflared, and a plunger disposed to operate in the said tube and having anend'portion beveled, substantially as set forth.

5. In a device of the nature specified, a cylinder, and feedingmechanism cooperating therewith, in combination with a guide, a frame ofapproximately bow form having an arm extendedvto be adjustably connectedwith said guide, awire applied to the said frame, and means forsubjecting the wire to tension, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' LOUIS L. MIVELAZ.

